Van Driver Attacked In Southampton

7 May 2014, 09:44 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

Police are investigating after a van driver was attacked in Southampton by a drunk man he'd clipped with his wing mirror.

The 63-year-old man was driving a Fiat Doblo van along Bitterne Road West towards Southampton city centre at about 4.40pm on April 25. 

As he crossed the railway bridge towards Rampart Road, he saw a man on the kerb looking to cross the road. As the man drove past, it’s believed his wing mirror may have been in contact with the pedestrian. 

The driver stopped to speak to the pedestrian but he then became aggressive so the driver drove off. 

He then had to stop at a junction and then the pedestrian approached his van and opened the door. 

The driver’s belongings fell out and when he got out to retrieve them, the pedestrian assaulted the driver by punching him in the stomach.

He then hit him to the back of the head when he tried to get back into his van. 

The offender is described as a white man aged between 30 and 40, about 5ft 10ins tall and of a stocky build. 

He had short mousey brown hair and was wearing a grey three-quarter-length coat with a light blue shirt underneath. 

He was also carrying white carrier bags. The victim believed that the man was drunk. 

PC Maria Firth said: 

“Were you in the area at the time? Did you see this man or the incident itself?” 

Anyone with any information is asked to contact PC Firth at Bitterne Police Station on 101 or call the charity Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111, where information can be left anonymously.